Formulation Group Lead Scientist

Formulation Group Lead Scientist

Eurofins Scientific is an international life sciences company, providing a unique range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries to make life and our environment safer, healthier and more sustainable.

This is a permanent full‑time position, working a 37‑hour week flexibly between 7 am and 7 pm, Monday–Friday.

The primary purpose of this role is to lead an off‑site Professional Scientific Services (PSS) team of technical staff, ensuring the team operates at the highest quality and productivity standards, maintains high morale and retention, and satisfies client requirements. The role includes client liaison, leadership duties, technical support, and continuous improvement.

• Coordinate and lead the PSS team to maximize productivity, quality, documentation, schedules, safety and housekeeping.
• Develop, coach, motivate and retain team members, including use of reward and recognition systems.
• Communicate regularly with the client and Eurofins to share information and act on actions immediately.
• Carry out performance appraisals (PAD) as part of the performance management programme.
• Hold regular one‑to‑one meetings to monitor performance and support professional development.
• Handle client‑related queries and liaise with other teams to resolve issues.
• Participate in investigations related to the team deliverables when required.
• Support formulation platform screening for API properties and suitability for various formulation types.
• Provide practical support for small‑scale manufacturing and pre‑formulation activities for oral solid dosage forms (e.g., spray drying, solvent injection, tablet compression, coating, encapsulation).
• Assist with product and materials characterization (tablet properties, particle size, powder flow, rheology, polymer characterisation).
• Interpret data and contribute to internal development protocols and reports.
• Write laboratory reports ensuring accurate and timely data reporting.
• Support design, prototype and scale‑up of drug product formulations and manufacturing processes.
• Provide technical support to downstream activities including product control strategy, technology transfer and launch.
• Own equipment and instrumentation maintenance, upkeep and calibration.
• Assist in wider scientific capability development and technology initiatives.
• Conduct research, compile and summarise information from multiple sources to inform formulation development.
• Conduct analysis using electronic media such as e‑Notebook.
• Support continuous improvement processes.
• Perform additional duties as directed by the client contact.
• Familiarise with electronic lab notebooks and ALCOA principles for data recording.
• Write or review SOPs, protocols, technical reports and risk assessments.

• Degree in Chemistry or a related discipline.
• Fundamental knowledge and practical application of Organic Chemistry to pharmaceutical drug design.
• Experience of Leadership & Management.
• Relevant experience of material science and analytical techniques within a group organisation.
• Good foundation and experience with traditional analytical techniques and modern instrumental equipment (e.g., particle size, PXRD, DSC, TGA).
• Knowledge of Design of Experiments (DoE) and use of Minitab.
• Knowledge of material science beneficial.

• Reward & Recognition.
• Enhanced annual leave entitlement.
• Additional annual leave at service milestones.
• Free parking.
• Company pension plan.
• Life assurance scheme (4× annual salary).
• Healthcare cash plan after 6 months service.
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity schemes.
• Employee assistance programme (24 / 7 confidential).
• Health and wellbeing programmes.
• Worldwide career opportunities.
• Employee event rewards and celebrations.

Potential candidates will be invited to meet the team through an assessment centre or staged interview process, depending on the role requirements. This will give insight into the working environment at Eurofins and allow the team to assess your key skills and strengths.

Eurofins is an equal‑opportunity employer and embraces diversity. We prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, race, nationality, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and other protected characteristics.

The closing date will be announced in the posting. If you do not receive a response within 4 weeks of the vacancy expiry date, this indicates the application has been unsuccessful.

Basildon, England, United Kingdom.